Natural Gas Council Statement on State of the Union Address

As President Trump prepares to deliver tonight’s State of the Union address to Congress, the Natural Gas Council, representing the companies that collectively represent nearly all aspects of the production, transportation, sales and delivery of the nation’s natural gas, called on the president to continue to advocate for the energy infrastructure that Americans rely upon. The heads of the five associations comprising the Council made these statements:

Dena E. Wiggins, President and CEO of the Natural Gas Supply Association, which leads the Council in 2018, said:

“We applaud the Administration’s recognition of the importance of infrastructure and hope the President takes this opportunity to remind Americans how important energy infrastructure is to working families, manufacturers and our nation’s economic health and security. Natural gas pipelines are critical to reliable heat and electricity for homes and businesses, but we must have sound policies in place enabling our industry to invest in and build those pipelines.”

Barry Russell, president and CEO of Independent Petroleum Association of America, said:

“The United States is a global leader in reducing carbon emissions thanks to the increased use of natural gas made possible by shale development. With new pipeline infrastructure, additional carbon reductions can be made and can benefit communities across America. Increased use of natural gas not only benefits the environment, but also provides national security and economic benefits, such as jobs and tax revenues. American natural gas provides a sustainable, reliable, affordable source of energy to fuel the nation’s manufacturing renaissance. Federal and state governments should work together, with energy producers, to promote policies that encourage American-made energy that’s good for our economy, environment and national security.”

Dave McCurdy, President and CEO of the American Gas Association, said:

“We hope that the President and Congress will turn their attention to an infrastructure package that expands opportunity for all Americans and improves quality of life for our customers and those that are seeking natural gas service. There are communities in our nation that have limited or no access to natural gas service and the comfort and affordability that it provides. Addressing our nation’s infrastructure challenges would enable these communities to participate in the energy revolution that is helping us achieve our national goals of boosting our economy, protecting our environment and enhancing our national security.”

Jack Gerard, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, said:

“Promoting American energy infrastructure is critical to delivering the clean, affordable, reliable and abundant natural gas that we rely upon every day to power our homes, schools, hospitals and businesses. With increased energy infrastructure, Americans across the country will further realize the benefits that clean natural gas brings to them like cleaner air, increased jobs, and economic growth. Private investment in our nation’s energy infrastructure is a $1 trillion proposition that could support 1 million jobs per year through 2035. As the administration and Congress work on their plans to promote infrastructure, they should keep in mind the enormous benefits that promoting America’s energy infrastructure would bring to our nation.”

Don Santa, president and CEO of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, said:

“Unlike many other infrastructure projects, natural gas pipelines are financed with private capital. Natural gas pipeline companies are ready – and eager – to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure and can deploy this capital more quickly and efficiently if we have a rational, timely and predictable process for reviewing and permitting. We hope the administration and Congress move forward with effective permitting reforms.”

The Natural Gas Council collectively represents nearly all companies that produce, transport and distribute natural gas consumed in the United States. It includes members of the American Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America and the Natural Gas Supply Association.